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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
This book lured me in with its hook of a failed space expedition with a priest as the sole survivor returning in disgrace and too traumatized to discuss what happened, the scientific concepts, and some of the early characterizations. But it largely failed to deliver especially on the spacefaring voyage part. The only elements it might have delivered is worldbuilding an alien culture, and its commentary on religion, and the latter is more because I feel unqualified to know how well it handled that aspect.
For the spacefaring adventure, at first it seemed like the book would take a fairly detailed and scientific account of making such a journey, but one of the first signs that I picked up that while the author has clearly done a lot of research they aren't actually a physicist is when they said the crew packed 10 years of contingency food in case theory of relativity didn't turn out to be as the physicists thought they were. Relativity isn't some abstract out of space theory; it was tested on Earth and GPS has to account for it (albeit I believe primarily for general relativity rather than special relativity, but same effect, just different cause). I abandoned another book this month that was fairly dry to read but seemed much more dedicated to the science, and kind of regret doing so. The book also didn't do a good job of convincing me why this ragtag group is our best delegation to go to space.
Once they actually get to the planet the book has some interesting cultural descriptions of the people, but is quite willing to throw out the research mission when it is inconvenient to whatever this book wants to focus on in the moment. I think the book says the author has an anthropological background and it really shows, aspects of the planet related to that are well fleshed out, other things not so much. Oh the characters supposedly write hundreds of scientific papers, but I never felt like they were rather than just frolicking around taking it easy, and not even being pressing to figure out the source of the signal that brought them to the planet in the first place. And what are the odds that a foreign planet has oxygen levels that are perfectly fine for human cohabitation?
Then while the initial characterizations of the cast seemed promising, they end up dropping like flies as the book rushes through the end. The development of the priest in the "present" time of circa 2060 has him very quickly overcome his trauma to finally relate the rest of the story. And then we have a bunch of torturing that while fits into the exploration of religion the book is going after in terms of the interaction between the main cast and the planet's inhabitants feels contrived. Don't expect a satisfactory answer for why the priest ended up the way he did in the "present" time.
The paragraph structure of the book is odd. In one instance it switches perspective of one character to another in the same paragraph, with the character whose perspective is being switched to being previously named, but we had no previous idea they were even present in the scene. This made things quite disorienting, and I had to reread that paragraph a few sentences to understand what went on.
The book often throws out casually quips of cultural stereotypes and terms. Some are harmless and funny, some are annoying, and one is a slur towards Japanese people.
For the spacefaring adventure, at first it seemed like the book would take a fairly detailed and scientific account of making such a journey, but one of the first signs that I picked up that while the author has clearly done a lot of research they aren't actually a physicist is when they said the crew packed 10 years of contingency food in case theory of relativity didn't turn out to be as the physicists thought they were. Relativity isn't some abstract out of space theory; it was tested on Earth and GPS has to account for it (albeit I believe primarily for general relativity rather than special relativity, but same effect, just different cause). I abandoned another book this month that was fairly dry to read but seemed much more dedicated to the science, and kind of regret doing so. The book also didn't do a good job of convincing me why this ragtag group is our best delegation to go to space.
Once they actually get to the planet the book has some interesting cultural descriptions of the people, but is quite willing to throw out the research mission when it is inconvenient to whatever this book wants to focus on in the moment. I think the book says the author has an anthropological background and it really shows, aspects of the planet related to that are well fleshed out, other things not so much. Oh the characters supposedly write hundreds of scientific papers, but I never felt like they were rather than just frolicking around taking it easy, and not even being pressing to figure out the source of the signal that brought them to the planet in the first place. And what are the odds that a foreign planet has oxygen levels that are perfectly fine for human cohabitation?
Then while the initial characterizations of the cast seemed promising, they end up dropping like flies as the book rushes through the end. The development of the priest in the "present" time of circa 2060 has him very quickly overcome his trauma to finally relate the rest of the story. And then we have a bunch of torturing that while fits into the exploration of religion the book is going after in terms of the interaction between the main cast and the planet's inhabitants feels contrived. Don't expect a satisfactory answer for why the priest ended up the way he did in the "present" time.
The paragraph structure of the book is odd. In one instance it switches perspective of one character to another in the same paragraph, with the character whose perspective is being switched to being previously named, but we had no previous idea they were even present in the scene. This made things quite disorienting, and I had to reread that paragraph a few sentences to understand what went on.
The book often throws out casually quips of cultural stereotypes and terms. Some are harmless and funny, some are annoying, and one is a slur towards Japanese people.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not one sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.
But the sparrow still falls.
But the sparrow still falls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
This is definitely among the best books I’ve read. Unbelievable that this was Mary Doris Russell’s first novel.
Wasn’t a compelling read and I should not have to read books that aren’t compelling
A book that I was always intending to read but didn't get to until it turned up as a gift: and what a good gift! Not having been raised Catholic I grumbled about all the mystifying theological ruminations in the first part of the book, but as soon as the plot moved on to the planet Rakhat I was hooked. Think of it as a FAR more sophisticated "Twilight Zone" tale (if you're one of those folks who has watched marathon re-runs of that on New Year's eve, as I have. . .)and prepare yourself for a jolt that will stay with you for a very long time. MUCH to think about with regard to what makes us human -- or not. Well done!
Some of my favorite character developments of all time. I loved the anthropological perspective of the first contact. Anne will always have a special place in my heart.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Religious bigotry
A heartbreaking science fiction novel about a group of Jesuit missionaries exploring an alien world. It is a fascinating concept, and yet so obvious when you think about it. Jesuits expanded into and explored North America and Asia in the 17th century, so why not an alien planet. This provides material for all sort of theological discussions, which, along with the anthropological descriptions of the alien society, offers the reader a thoroughly thought provoking read. I would absolutely recommend for anyone looking for some more philosophical sci-fi.
"You've seen what," Emilio conceded, "but not why! That's where God is, Anne. In the what of it-in the meaning."
"You've seen what," Emilio conceded, "but not why! That's where God is, Anne. In the what of it-in the meaning."
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.75
Es dificil de calificar porque simultaneamente esperaba amarlo mucho más pero a la vez me tuvo re enganchada y me gustó bastante.
Un fiel amigo para la lectura: google. Varias frases en latín ( muchas traducidas en el texto pero varias que no) y varias referencias a historias bíblicas ( estas siento fueron varias más de cultura general pero aun así busqué determinadas cosas para asegurarme de no saltearme alguna sutileza).
Es un libro tal vez un poco largo pero la lectura se hace amena. Entre el sentido del humor de los personajes ( con los que me reí más de una vez), la trama en cuanto a ciencia ficción, las preguntas/ planteos teológicos y el uso de este planeta nuevo como comparación ( incluidos determinados comentarios sobre el futuro que hoy son muy acertados) cuando te das cuenta ya estás terminando el libro.
Si voy a decir que, si bien me gusta mucho el troupe de ver el pasado y el presente de alguien que claramente pasó por una experiencia que le cambió, me fué un poco decepcionante la revelación. Llegado al final es algo que ya sabíamos y, si bien el contexto me hace sentir pena por como se dieron las cosas, hace que no haya un verdadero golpe al lector en cuanto a la revelación. Habiendo dicho eso, esto me recuerda a un familiar advirtiendome de lo "perturbador" que era La chica del tren y darme cuenta que para mi no lo fue para nada. Esto para decir: pareciera que tengo un estandar en cuanto a "perturbador" que parece no coincidir con otras personas. Si sirve de referencia: no, no me gusta/leo / veo snuff.
Siguiendo un poco esa línea de pensamiento, la verdad que me debatí si seguir con el 2do libro porque, según tengo entendido, es más violencia porque si y no tan bueno... pero decidí darle una chance. Eso si, creo que este libro termina suficientemente bien como para que no haga falta leer un 2do pero me interesa expandir más en este universo. Espero me sacíe las dudas pero no lo morboso.
En definitiva: lo recomiendo, pero agarrenlo con cautela por las dudas
Advertencia de contenido:
Es dificil de calificar porque simultaneamente esperaba amarlo mucho más pero a la vez me tuvo re enganchada y me gustó bastante.
Un fiel amigo para la lectura: google. Varias frases en latín ( muchas traducidas en el texto pero varias que no) y varias referencias a historias bíblicas ( estas siento fueron varias más de cultura general pero aun así busqué determinadas cosas para asegurarme de no saltearme alguna sutileza).
Es un libro tal vez un poco largo pero la lectura se hace amena. Entre el sentido del humor de los personajes ( con los que me reí más de una vez), la trama en cuanto a ciencia ficción, las preguntas/ planteos teológicos y el uso de este planeta nuevo como comparación ( incluidos determinados comentarios sobre el futuro que hoy son muy acertados) cuando te das cuenta ya estás terminando el libro.
Si voy a decir que, si bien me gusta mucho el troupe de ver el pasado y el presente de alguien que claramente pasó por una experiencia que le cambió, me fué un poco decepcionante la revelación. Llegado al final es algo que ya sabíamos y, si bien el contexto me hace sentir pena por como se dieron las cosas, hace que no haya un verdadero golpe al lector en cuanto a la revelación. Habiendo dicho eso, esto me recuerda a un familiar advirtiendome de lo "perturbador" que era La chica del tren y darme cuenta que para mi no lo fue para nada. Esto para decir: pareciera que tengo un estandar en cuanto a "perturbador" que parece no coincidir con otras personas. Si sirve de referencia: no, no me gusta/leo / veo snuff.
Siguiendo un poco esa línea de pensamiento, la verdad que me debatí si seguir con el 2do libro porque, según tengo entendido, es más violencia porque si y no tan bueno... pero decidí darle una chance. Eso si, creo que este libro termina suficientemente bien como para que no haga falta leer un 2do pero me interesa expandir más en este universo. Espero me sacíe las dudas pero no lo morboso.
En definitiva: lo recomiendo, pero agarrenlo con cautela por las dudas
Advertencia de contenido: